Glad I didn't spend any cash for mlbtv this month. I have been mentally debating why this feels so much more desperate than three games down, 8th inning. It's just not the same team. Maybe they need a round of "who's got spirit" cheers. Are we allowed to be happy for Lowe?

I was wondering if the A's have been deserting the moneyball theories of obp, or have they been getting on but not advancing, how does the team obp compare to the last two seasons,I guess is the question.

PSP- I really hope you're right. I also hope that the last outings by Messrs. Wells, Wakefield, Arroyo, and now Miller were their respective"bumps in the road" and there is nothing but smooth, new pavement ahead.

As far as getting some spahk in the lineup, I think bringing up Shoppach and Olerud will do just that. If I'm not mistaken, last year when we brought Youk up, he injected some much- needed youthful spirit into a .500 club. Closely after that,Theo pulled the trigger on The Trade, and bringing in Meintkiewicz(?) gave Millar the kick in the pants he needed to spark his bat. Hopefully Helmet Head will do the same...

I'm having trouble deciding if this trip to the bronx is just what they need, or the last thing they need.

What?!?! I didn't say anything! ;-). Seriously, I'm looking forward to a great set of games this weekend. Based on RECENT history, you guys are set up nicely for starting pitching in the first 2 games. Can't wait to get our mitts on 'Fatboy' Wells on Sunday night - especially after he's been out drinkin' all night Friday and Saturday.

One more thing. It's Fleet Week in NYC. Will that be a distraction for Arroyo? It shouldn't matter. He's not scheduled to pitch or anyting, but still...

Moneyball hasn't jumped the shark by any means in Oakland. You have to see that it's just starting to play out. The way that it will all eventually come together will stay true to the statistical format in which the Moneyball design came from. These kids are still learning the transition from school to the River Cats to the Show, and it's happening very fast for them. Once the ROY expectation pressure has diminished & they relax, they'll show their worth... just in time for the Sox to harvest them.

I was wonderin all this week about something that h.b. said a while ago: Schilling ain't coming back this year. And everyday I have been reading into the lines that Mr. Schilling is not healing well and that the miracle surgery performed last year created a whole new set of problems. But still this is a team game, they don't look motivated at all and if they keep stranding men on base like they have been, I will enjoy 4th place while it lasts. They need a reality check and I hope they get it together this weekend or it's gonna be a very steep hill to get over.